Everton prospect considered for captaincy following European transfer interest

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 4: Nathan Broadhead (L) celebrates his second goal with Ryan Astley Fraser Hornby and Anthony Gordon during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool U23 and Everton U23 at Anfield on March 4, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson/Everton FC via Getty Images)

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"I thought he was the best player on the pitch," he said after handing the 16-year-old an Everton under-23 debut against Sunderland in March 2018. "It was a stunning performance."

But Astley was not stopping there.

He forced his way into the reckoning on a consistent basis the following term, mostly at right-back, before gaining further opportunities at centre-back - his favoured position - this season.

Despite only turning 18 in October, he has racked up 31 appearances at u-23 level - more would have followed had the campaign not been cut-short - and his emergence could be perfectly timed for both Unsworth and January signing Jarrad Branthwaite.

There is a feeling that Astley - a well-respected figure around the squad and heading into a second full u-23 season - could be named Feeney's successor with Branthwaite the ideal foil to learn alongside.

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Everton are not expected to be as competitive in the Premier League 2 next year - Astley helped secure an unprecedented double last season - meaning he could lead one of the youngest sides Unsworth has ever worked with at this level.

In the short-term, the defender is focusing on becoming a mainstay of the u-23 set-up and forging a partnership with Branthwaite, while talks of a new contract will take place with Marcel Brands this summer as his current deal expires in 2021.

Astley was part of senior pre-season preparations under Marco Silva last term and despite such recognition he has not allowed it to go to his head.

He is part of a close-knit family - his mother switched jobs when he was younger to help him further his Everton dream - and he moved from mid-Wales into club digs at the tender age of 14 to ease the burden of constant travel.

The best example of his mindset came in October when, after spending the entire game on the bench in an u-23 away trip to Derby County, Astley went to Everton and asked to play for the u-18s the following day.

Paul Tait agreed, and he turned out for 90 minutes at centre-back as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.

Astley is also aware that, after breaking into the Wales set-up at u-19 level, further recognition can quickly follow.

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Senior manager Ryan Giggs is keen to promote young talent and Nathan Broadhead, his Everton team-mate on loan at Burton Albion, was included in a training camp last term but for now, an under-21 call-up remains the next objective.

While preferring a central defensive role, Unsworth's decision to blood Astley at full-back was highlighted that evening as he showcased his offensive attributes.

The prospect could still consider a loan move in January but it is more than likely he will spend another season developing in the u-23s before assessing his options next summer.

Technically solid and defensively tenacious - "he always finds a way to win his battles" comments one insider - Astley will be hoping to fill out physically in the same manner Feeney and Lewis Gibson have in recent seasons.

For now, as he attempts to convince Brands and Carlo Ancelotti, his next task is simple.